How to Fix iPhone Black Screen of Death (Updated 2026)
It's a nightmare scenario: You pick up your iPhone, press the side button, and... nothing. The screen stays black. Before you panic and rush to the Apple Store, try these proven fixes.
1. Force Restart (Hard Reset)
This solves 90% of black screen issues. The method depends on your model, but for iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone 16/17):
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side Button (Power) until you see the Apple logo.
Keep holding the button even if nothing happens for 10-15 seconds. It can take a while!
2. Charge Your iPhone
Sometimes, the battery is just completely drained. Plug it into a known working charger for at least 30 minutes. If you see the battery icon appear after a few minutes, you're safe.
3. Use Recovery Mode
If the force restart didn't work, you might need to restore iOS via a computer. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC and enter Recovery Mode.
4. FAQ
Q: Will I lose my data?
A: A force restart (Step 1) does NOT delete data. However, a factory restore via Recovery Mode (Step 3) will erase your phone.